Author: Mark Edward Burt
The area of New Jersey that Henry Banta was from, Bergen County, was at the crossroads of the fighting during the American Revolution. The Hackensack square, and the Banta Farm, were places of encampment for both the British and the Continental Armies at one time or another. General Washington is known to have established a camp on the Banta property, building up a 3 foot high earthworks for protection, which remained part of the landscape for many decades. Bergen County residents were not, as a whole, in favor of the rebellion, with the Dutch taking sides, father against son, and brother against brother. Overcrowding, and the influence of the English, German and Swedes on the Dutch children, caused Henry to desire to move westward. Henry’s and a number of friends set out for their new home in Somerset County, in western New Jersey. They were not the first to leave, but Henry soon became a leader in what became known as the "Low Dutch Colony," When Henry went west to Somerset County, New Jersey, he settled in Bedminster, Montgomery Township. In 1752, he was a member of the Montgomery Church, and chosen as an Elder in 1758. In 1768, Henry and 165 other Dutch and Huguenot families (over 1,000 people) left New Jersey. He settled in Conewago, York County, Pennsylvania. He was appointed to the York County Committee of Safety in 1774. In 1779, Henry once again pulled up roots. He led 75 settlers, via the Ohio River, to Louisville, Kentucky. His son, Abraham, plus 11 others of Henry's 19 living children, followed him. From Louisville they proceeded via Eargrass to Cove Spring, Kentucky. They were attacked numerous times by Indians along the way. His will was dated 13 Dec 1799 and probated 14 Oct 1805 in Shelby Co., KY bequeathed property to his widow Antjin. She raised 5 step children, 13 of her own and 9 grandchildren, from Henry and Maria Stryker Banta. She accompanied husband Henry to found a Dutch colony in Somerset Co., NJ, York Co., PA and then in KY. He died 14 Oct 1805 and was buried at Pleasureville, Kentucky, cemetery